Day 6

Day 6 was our final full day in SoCal.  There were so many options for things to do and see, but what the girls (and we) really wanted to do, was to just enjoy another day in the sun and water.  So...we rented a cabana at our favorite pool, and splashed, played, swam, and slid for eight straight hours.  It was heaven. The girls made new friends from all over the west, got in the middle of a bubble party (someone poured contraband shampoo into the spa), and Aubrey was crowned "Belly Flop Champion." Brian and I read our books, we ate a yummy poolside lunch, and just  chilled. It was heavenly.

Day 5

On Day 5, we drove into San Diego to see the infamous San Diego zoo.   Although the Oregon Zoo is amazing, it was fun to see a different layout, and lots of new animals.  There were several animal babies on display, and we learned about how the zoo started.  It's founder was a local veterinarian, who heard the pitiful roar of a lone lion, left behind by a traveling circus in 1916.  It was that sound that inspired him to found the San Diego zoo, and the rest is history!  

Some of the highlights included animals such as gorillas, koalas, toucan, a sloth, Galapagos tortises, and getting super close to the giraffes.  We also enjoyed(?) an aerial tram ride over the top of the zoo.  When our feet were again exhausted, we found an authentic mexican restaurant, run by a local family, who got the girls to try horchata for the first time.  YUM!

After dinner, we headed to Coronado "island" and explored the Hotel Del, chased the waves in front of it, and watched the sun set.  It was another day filled with amazing memories. 

 

 

Day 4

After all that travel, it was time for a POOL DAY!  We explored our resort, enjoyed the views, tried out multiple pools, went down lots of water slides, and relaxed.  A good outdoor pool, is quite simply, my girls' most happy place.  They can literally entertain themselves for hours, happy as can be, to the point of pure exhaustion.  This was the kind of day that was much needed by all of us. 

 

 

 

 

Day 3

 On Day 3, it was time to head south from L.A. to San Diego!  First though, we viewed the Hollywood sign, drove through Beverly Hills and down Rodeo Drive (no stopping to shop here!), and detoured to spend some time at the Santa Monica Pier.   It was another scorcher, topping out at about 109 degrees as we sat in the infamous L.A. traffic.  The girls, more than anyone were thrilled when we finally arrived at our resort!